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Spring 2012 Issue

Message from Roylene Rides at the Door, State Conservationist

Washington NRCS State Conservationist; Roylene Rides at the Door

Washington State Conservationist Roylene Rides at the Door.

Unpredictable temperatures, rain, hail, thunder storms, and everything in bloom - it sure does feel like spring! This is one of my favorite times of year, a time of transition and the revival of beauty and growth is all around us. This beauty and growth isn't just seen in the flowers and trees touched by Mother Nature, it can also be seen in the work we all do conserving our precious resources in Washington State.

Every time I write one of these updates, I feel like I am talking about change. In the 5th century, noted philosopher Heraclitus said, "The only constant is change."  This notion still rings true today in the 21st century - every day, every one of us is faced with the inevitability of change. I am so inspired by your ability to move and grow with the times. NRCS is ever moving and changing, and I am humbled by the great work in conservation you continue to complete in these tumultuous times.

Some updates for the coming months:
This year, the FY 2013 budget process builds upon lessons learned during FY 2012 and sets the foundation for an agency-wide Integrated Performance Planning and Budget Process. The new budget process will include: estimated Key Performance Measure accomplishments, estimated breakdown of staff years by program, financial assistance funding needs by program and landscape initiatives and technical assistance funding needs by program and budget object class. This process will reflect the important work that needs to be accomplished in Washington and identify the resources needed to meet the accomplishments.

I realize that there are a lot of questions on the issue of office space for the conservation districts (CDs). We as leadership (WACD, WSCC and NRCS) have appointed the Partner Space Committee, which is meeting regularly to work out options on this issue. The committee has been working for over a month on collecting data that reflects the NRCS and CD staffing by location, the current lease expiration date, the combined NRCS and CD lease costs, and the estimated NRCS and CD prorated share of lease costs based on the staffing numbers to determine if districts are impacted. Once a more detailed determination is completed then the committee will be looking at options. Nothing is set in stone as of now, and there have been no bills issued to any CD and no bills will be issued until supporting agreements are in place. None of the previous agreements are being billed; new agreements will replace each of those old agreements.

Hopefully you have seen my email regarding the NRCS-WA Fitness Challenge. One of the key issues identified in the morale survey that you participated in was excess stress. So to deal with this issue, the State Leadership Team (SLT) and I thought a fitness challenge would help us relieve some stress and give to a good cause. The challenge, which began June 1, is a fun way to relieve your excess stress, engage in some friendly competition, and give to a good cause. For every mile you log, the SLT will pay 1˘ to the Combined Federal Campaign. If you haven't started walking, biking, or working out - it's not too late! The challenge will run throughout the summer until September 30.

In national news, the Senate voted on June 7, 2012 to advance their version of the Farm Bill that will set the nation's nutrition and agriculture policy for the next five years. With the vote, the Senate will begin about a week of debate to consider the bill and amendments. The entirety of how NRCS' programs will be affected by the new bill is not known yet, but I trust that you will be at your very best.

As we transition through this time of change, do not lose sight of the mission of the NRCS. You are a very important part of Helping People Help the Land.

-Roylene



Icon - Makin Tracks
See what's happen' with employees around the state.
The following personnel changes for this quarter have been supplied by our state Human Resources department.

Icon - Welcome New Employees
Jeff Harlow, transferred from NRCS Pacific Island State Office to the Assistant State Conservationist (Programs), Spokane State Office effective 3/25/12.

Icon - Congrats on Promotions
Scott Wolf, promoted to the Soil Conservationist, Ephrata Field Office, effective 5/5/2012

Icon - Goodbye and Good Luck

Samantha Bartling, RC&D Coordinator, Okanogan Field Office, transferred to NRCS Oregon, effective, 4/22/12.
Manuel Gonzalez, Engineer SCEP, MT Vernon Field Office, reassigned to NRCS Utah, effective, 4/22/12.
Colleen Winchester, Resource Conservationist, Colfax Field Office, resigned effective 3/30/12.
David Kreft, Supervisor Soil Conservationist, Colville Field Office, reassigned as the newly established State WRP Coordinator, Spokane State Office, effective 4/22/12.
David Welk, Soil Conservation Technician, Spokane Service Center, retired effective 3/23/12.
Timothy Riebe, Soil Scientist, Spokane Soil Survey Office promoted and transferred to NRCS Alaska effective 4/22/12.
Sherre Copeland, State Partnership Liaison, directed reassignment from the Spokane State Office to the West Area Conservation Office effective 3/19/12.
Dan Olson, Soil Conservationist, Okanogan Field Office promoted and transferred to NRCS Colorado effective 4/22/12.
Jonathan George, Soil Conservationist, Toppenish Field Office promoted and transferred to NRCS California effective 4/22/12.
Andrea Mann, RC&D Coordinator, Ephrata Field Office transferred to NRCS Oregon effective 4/22/12.
 

Icon - Items of Interest

Gina Kerzman, detail ended as Public Affairs Officer, Spokane State Office, effective 2/4/12.
Richard Edlund, detail ended as Acting Area Conservationist, East Area Office, effective 2/4/12.
Doug Allen, detailed as Acting State Conservationist (Programs) for the Spokane State Office, effective, 2/27/12. Detail ended 3/24/12
Georgia Sormun, detail ended as Acting Secretary for the State Conservationist effective 4/7/12.
Amy Smith, detailed as Acting State Contracting Officer, Spokane State Office effective 3/12/12.
Ron Joyner, detailed to National Headquarters as a Contracting Officer effective 3/12/12. Detail ended 5/7/12.
Eileen Jackson, detailed to National Headquarters as a Human Resources Officer. Detail is ongoing.
Kathy Dickerson, detailed to NRCS Wyoming as a Human Resource Specialist. Detail is ongoing.
Rebecca Toupal, name changed to Rebecca Stuart effective 3/11/12.


Icon - Footprints Features


Conservation Activities in Washington

Planning Map
New Maps Available For Planners
Submitted By State Office Geotechnology Team

The State Office Geotechnology Team has developed two new maps for NRCS planners! The new maps cover Washington State and feature information related to Plant Hardiness Zones and Growing Degree Days. The maps can be found on the Washington State eFOTG under Section I/Maps. Hopefully you will find them useful!
Read more...

Wildlife Farmer of the Year
Okanogan County Wildlife Habitat Farmer of the Year
Submitted by Will Keller, Rangeland Management Specialist, Okanogan

We congratulate Okanogan County Wildlife Habitat Farmer of the Year, Mark Nysether of the Sea Real Corporation, for his hard work encouraging wildlife, riparian health, and dedication to agriculture by improving grazing management on his place in the Methow Valley.
Read more...

Snow Survey Staff
Snow Surveys Net Adequate Water Supplies for Washington Watersheds for Water-Year 2012
Submitted by Scott Pattee, Water Supply Specialist, Mt. Vernon

Snow surveys, such as those conducted in Okanogan County on March 29, 2012, showed average to much above average snowpack across the state. Statewide, April 1 readings were measured to be 137 percent of average. April 1 is the primary target date when mountain snowpack typically reaches its peak before beginning the annual melt cycle.
Read more...
Spokane County Landscape
Spokane County Soil Survey Update Complete
Submitted by Scott Bare, MLRA Soil Survey Office Leader, Spokane

Soil scientists with Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Spokane County Conservation District (SCCD) have completed the update of the Spokane County Soil Survey.
Read more...
Roylene Rides at the Door signing the MOU.
Federal and state agencies to coordinate services to forest land owners
Submitted by Aaron Everett, State Forester, Washington State Dept. of Agriculture

Woodland and family forest land owners of Washington State will get better coordinated service to help improve their conservation and management under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by state and federal agencies.
Read more...
Wetlands Reserve Program Biologist, Erik Lewis.
Partnerships Support Wildlife Programs for NRCS-WA
Submitted by Erik Lewis, Wetlands Reserve Program Biologist, Spokane

On January 27, 2012 Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever announced the hiring of two new Farm Bill wildlife biologists in Washington State. The purpose of the Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Program is to hire biologists to work with area landowners, farmers and ranchers to implement wildlife habitat conservation measures.
Read more...

Icon - Footprints Extras

Hiring and Diversity
Submitted by Cathy Firth, Human Resources Specialist, Spokane

On August 18, 2011, President Barak Obama released an executive order to promote diversity and inclusion in the work force. “By this order, I am directing executive departments and agencies (agencies) to develop and implement a more comprehensive, integrated, and strategic focus on diversity and inclusion as a key component of their human resources strategies. This approach should include a continuing effort to identify and adopt best practices, implemented in an integrated manner, to promote diversity and remove barriers to equal employment opportunity, consistent with merit system principles and applicable law.”
Read more...

We hope you have enjoyed the employee submitted articles highlighted in this issue of Conservation Footprints. Please feel free to submit your comments, suggestions and/or new articles for an up-coming issue of this newsletter. View past Conservation Footprints publications.

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